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Compulsory course (4th. semester): MA Thesis and Thesis
Seminar

Course content

As a compulsory part of the MA Programme, the Centre of African
Studies runs a Thesis Seminar each semester. MA students already at
the stage of writing their thesis must sign up and participate
(actively) in the Thesis Seminar. A signed thesis contract is a
prerequisite for participation. The purpose of this seminar is to
enhance the student’s focus, skills and confidence in the
thesis-writing process. This includes consideration of
methodological, theoretical and writing aspects, as well as the
provision of substantive feedback on the formulation of ideas and
actual written work, according to the rules of the Study
Curriculum. A key element - and compulsory requirement - of the
Thesis Seminar is participation by each student in two
feedback/opponent sessions in which written material, directly
linked to the thesis itself, is presented and discussed. The first
written ‘paper’ must be between 3,400 and 6,700 characters
(including spaces). The paper should provide an overall outline and
description of what the thesis is about, including a clearly
defined research problem and question, an indication of the
proposed thesis structure, and a timetable for the writing process.
The second written paper should be between 15,000 and 30,000
characters (including spaces). This paper has to be a coherent text
(not in note form), such as one of the chapters of the thesis. The
written materials are presented in group sessions, and the group
members provide detailed and constructive feedback as active
‘opponents’ to one another. The Thesis Seminar is based on active
participation and requires that the students both present their own
work and that they act as ‘opponents’ in response to other
students’ work.

In the seminar we use of combination of teaching methods:
lecturing, writing exercises/workshops, student opponent sessions
on written assignments. The seminar is based on the active
participation of students.

You have to register for the Thesis Seminar via the Self-service
on KUnet.
A written agreement (thesis contract) is entered into between the
student and the supervisor and is approved by the Head of Centre.
The thesis contract must be submitted to the Student Hub no later
than 15 August for autumn semesters and 15 January for spring
semesters.